It’s important to take time for yourself, now more than ever, during the monotonous lives we’ve been living during the pandemic. I’ve had a pretty destructive relationship with self-care for the longest time; I always thought I had to accomplish something big in order to treat myself. But sometimes, even getting out of bed is the most challenging thing we can do and calls for a self-care day. Self-care looks different for everyone, but if you’re not too sure how to unwind, here’s what I like to do!
First, I set aside any stress-inducing factors around me, like schoolwork, by putting my notebooks away in my backpack. Once my space is clear, I head to the kitchen. It’s important to make sure I don’t skip any meals, so I cook some good comfort food that brings me fulfillment. I’ll listen to music when I’m cooking and find it to be really therapeutic.
I also recently started listening to podcasts and enjoy “The Self Love Fix” by Beatrice on Spotify. She talks about her experiences as a woman of color and gives advice on how to become the best version of yourself. If you also have a hard time realizing your worth, I highly recommend listening to this podcast. I’ve already learned so much about myself!
Once I’ve cooked my meal, I turn on a show or movie to accompany me. I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest movie-watcher, only because I don’t know where to start. Some of my favorites are The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Pursuit of Happyness. If you’re not in the mood to cry and just want to watch something lighthearted, I like Big Mouth and Bojack Horseman too.
Towards the end of my self-care regimen, I take out my journal and write about pretty much anything I want. Sometimes, I’ll go on a rant about everything that’s going wrong and just get my frustration out. Other times, I’ll talk about what I did that day. Regardless, I conclude my entry by listing what I’m thankful for. It can be the smallest thing, like the piece of delicious chocolate you had or the cute puppy video you watched. I truly believe that what you write will become what you believe, and what you believe will become a reality. The universe works in your favor, if you let it. That’s why I write down positive affirmations celebrating my positive innate qualities. For example, compassion, kindness, confidence, and humor are all innate qualities one can possess. I feel so much more content after a productive journaling session.
